Systems and methods for performing application container introspection

ABSTRACT

The disclosed computer-implemented method for performing application container introspection may include (1) identifying a request issued by an application launched from an application container, (2) determining that the request calls a function that facilitates transferring data between the application container and at least one external data source, and then in response to determining that the request calls the function, (3) directing the request to a function library that includes a custom version of the function that facilitates both (A) transferring, between the application container and the external data source, an encrypted version of the data that is unintelligible to an external application running outside the application container and (B) providing an unencrypted version of the data to the external application to enable the external application to inspect the data. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

BACKGROUND

As cloud-based computing services gain increased popularity, serviceproviders may seek increasingly lightweight methods to serve the needsof their clients. One method of providing cloud-based computing servicesinvolves the use of application containers that provide isolatedenvironments for clients to run certain software. For example, acomputing device may include an application container that executes anapplication isolated from the computing device's operating system andother software running outside of the application container. In thisexample, the application running within the application container mayexchange encrypted communications with a remote device via a network.

Unfortunately, because these communications are encrypted and/ordecrypted by the application executed within the application container,the computing device's operating system and other software runningoutside of the application container may be unable to inspect theencrypted communications. As a result, the computing device's operatingsystem and other software may be unable to perform certain securityanalyses (such as data-loss-prevention analyses and/or intrusiondetection and prevention analyses). Accordingly, the instant disclosureidentifies and addresses a need for additional and improved systems andmethods for performing application container introspection.

SUMMARY

As will be described in greater detail below, the instant disclosuredescribes various systems and methods for performing applicationcontainer introspection by interposing custom functions to enable anexternal application to examine data being transferred to or from anapplication container. In one example, a computer-implemented method forperforming application container introspection may include (1)identifying a request issued by an application launched from anapplication container, (2) determining that the request calls a functionthat facilitates transferring data between the application container andan external data source that is external to the application container,and then in response to determining that the request calls the function,(3) directing the request to a function library that includes a customversion of the function that facilitates both (A) transferring, betweenthe application container and the external data source, an encryptedversion of the data that is unintelligible to an external applicationrunning outside the application container and (B) providing anunencrypted version of the data to the external application to enablethe external application to inspect the data.

In some embodiments, the external application may include and/orrepresent a host operating system that executes the applicationcontainer, a data-loss-prevention application, and/or a computersecurity system. In one example, the method may also include creatingthe custom version of the function.

In some examples, providing the unencrypted version of the data to theexternal application may include enabling the external application toinspect the data before the custom version of the function facilitatestransferring the encrypted version of the data between the applicationcontainer and the external data source. In other examples, thecomputer-implemented method may include receiving, from the externalapplication, a notification indicating that the data to be transferredpotentially violates at least one security policy (such as anantimalware and/or antivirus policy) and then refraining fromtransferring the encrypted version of the data.

In one embodiment, the function library may reside within theapplication container. In such an embodiment, directing the request tothe function library may include directing the request to the customversion of the function included in the function library residing withinthe application container.

In another embodiment, the function library may reside outside theapplication container and within a host operating system that hosts theapplication container. In this embodiment, directing the request to thefunction library may include identifying a link that points to thefunction library within the application container and then directing therequest to the function library by way of the link.

In some examples, providing the unencrypted version of the data to theexternal application may include providing the data to the externalapplication by way of a virtual network interface. In other examples,providing the unencrypted version of the data to the externalapplication may include providing the data to the external applicationby way of shared memory.

In one embodiment, the custom version of the function may facilitatetransferring the encrypted version of the data between the applicationcontainer and the external data source in a manner identical to anoriginal version of the function.

In some examples, providing the unencrypted version of the data to theexternal application may include delivering the unencrypted version ofthe data to the external application to ensure that the data does notviolate a data-loss-prevention policy before the data is encrypted. Inthese examples, transferring the encrypted version of the data betweenthe application container and the external data source may include, uponensuring that the data does not violate the data-loss-prevention policy,encrypting the data for secure transmission from the applicationcontainer to the external data source and then transmitting theencrypted data from the application container to the external datasource in accordance with the data-loss-prevention policy.

In other examples, transferring the encrypted version of the databetween the application container and the external data source mayinclude receiving the encrypted version of the data at the applicationcontainer from the external data source. In such examples, providing theunencrypted version of the data to the external application may includegenerating the unencrypted version of the data by decrypting theencrypted version of the data and then delivering the unencryptedversion of the data to the external application to ensure that the datadoes not violate a security policy (such as an antimalware and/orantivirus policy) before the application running inside the applicationcontainer handles a potentially malicious payload (e.g., a malwarebinary or shell code) included within the data.

In one embodiment, a system for implementing the above-described methodmay include (1) an identification module, stored in memory, thatidentifies a request issued by an application launched from anapplication container, (2) a determination module, stored in memory,that determines that the request calls a function that facilitatestransferring data between the application container and an external datasource that is external to the application container, (3) a directingmodule, stored in memory, that directs the request to a function librarythat may include a custom version of the function that facilitates bothfacilitate both (A) transferring an encrypted version of the data thatis unintelligible to an external application running outside theapplication container between the application container and the externaldata source and (B) providing an unencrypted version of the data to theexternal application to enable the external application to inspect thedata, and (4) at least one physical processor configured to execute theidentification module, the determination module, and the directingmodule. In one example, the system may also include a creating module,stored in memory, that creates the custom version of the function.

In some examples, the above-described method may be encoded ascomputer-readable instructions on a non-transitory computer-readablemedium. For example, a computer-readable medium may include one or morecomputer-executable instructions that, when executed by at least oneprocessor of a computing device, causes the computing device to (1)identify a request issued by an application launched from an applicationcontainer, (2) determine that the request calls a function thatfacilitates transferring data between the application container and anexternal data source that is external to the application container, andthen (3) directs the request to a function library that includes acustom version of the function that facilitates both (A) transferring,between the application container and the external data source, anencrypted version of the data that is unintelligible to an externalapplication running outside the application container and (B) providingan unencrypted version of the data to the external application to enablethe external application to inspect the data.

Features from any of the above-mentioned embodiments may be used incombination with one another in accordance with the general principlesdescribed herein. These and other embodiments, features, and advantageswill be more fully understood upon reading the following detaileddescription in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate a number of exemplary embodimentsand are a part of the specification. Together with the followingdescription, these drawings demonstrate and explain various principlesof the instant disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary system for performingapplication container introspection.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an additional exemplary system forperforming application container introspection.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method for performingapplication container introspection.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an additional exemplary computing systemfor inspecting data transferred from an application container.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an additional exemplary computing systemfor inspecting data transferred to an application container.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an exemplary computing system capable ofimplementing one or more of the embodiments described and/or illustratedherein.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an exemplary computing network capable ofimplementing one or more of the embodiments described and/or illustratedherein.

Throughout the drawings, identical reference characters and descriptionsindicate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements. While theexemplary embodiments described herein are susceptible to variousmodifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have beenshown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detailherein. However, the exemplary embodiments described herein are notintended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, theinstant disclosure covers all modifications, equivalents, andalternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods forperforming application container introspection. As will be explained ingreater detail below, systems and methods described herein may enable ahost operating system and/or other software running outside of anapplication container to efficiently monitor and/or inspect datatransferred between the application container and an external datasource that is external to the application container (e.g., a remotecomputing device and/or a hard drive disk attached to a computingdevice). In doing so, the systems and methods described herein may beable to facilitate performing certain security analyses (such asdata-loss-prevention analyses and/or intrusion detection and preventionanalyses) on such data. As a result, the systems and methods describedherein may strengthen the security of the computing device that includesthe application container.

The following will provide, with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 5,detailed descriptions of exemplary systems for performing applicationcontainer introspection. Detailed descriptions of correspondingcomputer-implemented methods will also be provided in connection withFIG. 3. In addition, detailed descriptions of an exemplary computingsystem and network architecture capable of implementing one or more ofthe embodiments described herein will be provided in connection withFIGS. 6 and 7, respectively.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of exemplary system 100 for performingapplication container introspection. As illustrated in this figure,exemplary system 100 may include one or more modules 102 for performingone or more tasks. For example, and as will be explained in greaterdetail below, exemplary system 100 may include an identification module104 that identifies a request issued by an application launched from anapplication container. Exemplary system 100 may additionally include adetermination module 106 that determines that the request calls afunction that facilitates transferring data between the applicationcontainer and at least one external data source. Further, exemplarysystem 100 may include a directing module 108 that directs the requestto a function library that includes a custom version of the function.Exemplary system 100 may additionally include a creating module 110 thatcreates the custom version of the function. Although illustrated asseparate elements, one or more of modules 102 in FIG. 1 may representportions of a single module or application.

In certain embodiments, one or more of modules 102 in FIG. 1 mayrepresent one or more software applications or programs that, whenexecuted by a computing device, may cause the computing device toperform one or more tasks. For example, and as will be described ingreater detail below, one or more of modules 102 may represent softwaremodules stored and configured to run on one or more computing devices,such as the devices illustrated in FIG. 2 (e.g., computing device 202and/or server 206), computing system 610 in FIG. 6, and/or portions ofexemplary network architecture 700 in FIG. 7. One or more of modules 102in FIG. 1 may also represent all or portions of one or morespecial-purpose computers configured to perform one or more tasks.

Exemplary system 100 in FIG. 1 may be implemented in a variety of ways.For example, all or a portion of exemplary system 100 may representportions of exemplary system 200 in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, system200 may include a computing device 202 in communication with a server206 via a network 204. In one example, computing device 202 may beprogrammed with one or more of modules 102. Additionally oralternatively, server 206 may be programmed with one or more of modules102.

In one embodiment, one or more of modules 102 from FIG. 1 may, whenexecuted by at least one processor of computing device 202 and/or server206, enable computing device 202 and/or server 206 to monitor and/orinspect data being transferred to or from an application container. Forexample, and as will be described in greater detail below, one or moreof modules 102 may cause computing device 202 and/or server 206 toperform application container introspection. For example, and as will bedescribed in greater detail below, identification module 104 mayidentify a request 208 issued by an application launched from anapplication container 212. Determination module 106 may determine thatrequest 208 calls a function that facilitates transferring data 226between application container 212 and an external data source 216.Directing module 108 may direct request 208 to a custom function 220within a function library 218. Custom function 220 may facilitate both(A) transferring encrypted data 222 between application container 212and external data source 216 and (B) providing unencrypted data 224 toan external application 228. Moreover, in some embodiments, creatingmodule 110 may create custom function 220.

Computing device 202 generally represents any type or form of computingdevice capable of reading computer-executable instructions. Examples ofcomputing device 202 include, without limitation, laptops, tablets,desktops, servers, cellular phones, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs),multimedia players, embedded systems, wearable devices (e.g., smartwatches, smart glasses, etc.), gaming consoles, combinations of one ormore of the same, exemplary computing system 610 in FIG. 6, or any othersuitable computing device.

Server 206 generally represents any type or form of computing devicecapable of communicating with computing devices and/or applicationcontainers via a network. Examples of server 206 include, withoutlimitation, application servers, web servers, security servers, storageservers, and/or database servers configured to run certain softwareapplications and/or provide various web, security, storage, and/ordatabase services.

Network 204 generally represents any medium or architecture capable offacilitating communication or data transfer. Examples of network 204include, without limitation, an intranet, a Wide Area Network (WAN), aLocal Area Network (LAN), a Personal Area Network (PAN), the Internet,Power Line Communications (PLC), a cellular network (e.g., a GlobalSystem for Mobile Communications (GSM) network), exemplary networkarchitecture 700 in FIG. 7, or the like. Network 204 may facilitatecommunication or data transfer using wireless or wired connections. Inone embodiment, network 204 may facilitate communication betweencomputing device 202 and server 206.

Application container 212 generally represents an instance ofoperating-system-level virtualization that utilizes the operating systemkernel of a host operating system. Such utilization of the hostoperating system kernel may enable application containers to functionwithout necessitating the full hardware virtualization of virtualmachines while still providing an isolated environment within which toexecute applications. Such isolation may prevent applications inside theapplication container from interacting with applications outside theapplication container (and/or vice versa) in one way or another.Additionally or alternatively, such isolation may prevent applicationsinside the application container from interacting with the hostoperating system (and/or vice versa) in one way or another. In oneexample, a host operating system may host multiple applicationcontainers, and the host operating system may designate individual filesystems, storage space, processor access, memory blocks, etc., for eachapplication container. Examples of application container 212 include,without limitation, DOCKER application containers, ROCKET applicationcontainers, LINUX CONTAINER (LXC) application containers, variations ofone or more of the same, combinations of one or more of the same, or anyother suitable application containers.

External data source 216 generally represents any type or form ofcomputing device, storage device, software, and/or virtual environmentcapable of sending, receiving, storing, and/or facilitating access todata. In some examples, external data source 216 may include and/orrepresent a remote computing device and/or virtual machine thatcommunicates with applications launched from application container 212.In other examples, external data source 216 may include and/or representa hardware-based storage device that communicates with and/or is accessby applications launched from application container 212. Althoughillustrated as part of server 206 in FIG. 2, external data source 216may alternatively represent part of computing device 202 (e.g., a localhard disk drive of computing device 202). Examples of external datasource 216 include, without limitation, laptops, tablets, desktops,servers, removable media storage devices (such as Universal Serial Bus(USB) drives), hard disk drives, volatile memory devices, solid statedrives, cellular phones, PDAs, multimedia players, embedded systems,wearable devices, gaming consoles, other application containers,software installed on one or more of the same, virtual machines launchedon one or more of the same, combinations of one or more of the same, orany other suitable external data source.

Function library 218 generally represents any file or collection offiles that includes functions designed for use by executable files,code, and/or other shared objects. In some examples, function library218 may include resources such as configuration data, message templates,pre-written programming code, or any other information for use by otherfiles and/or code. Files may access function library 218 in a variety ofways. For example, an executable file may contain a static link tofunction library 218 or a specific function included in function library218. In this example, the static link to function library 218 or thespecific function included in function library 218 may resolve when theexecutable file is created. Additionally or alternatively, an executablefile may contain a dynamic link to function library 218 or a specificfunction included in function library 218. In these examples, thedynamic link to function library 218 or the specific function includedin function library 218 may resolve while the executable file is beingloaded or executed (rather than when the executable file is created).

Custom function 220 generally represents any type or form of code orcollection of code that augments and/or replaces an existing functionthat facilitates transferring data. Custom function 220 may be stored aspart of a function library, such as function library 218. In someexamples, custom function 220 may contain a reference or link to theoriginal function to perform the original function as well as additionalcode that augments the original function. In other examples, customfunction 220 may contain its own code that mimics the original functionas well as additional code that augments the original function. Examplesof custom function 220 include, without limitation, custom readfunctions, custom write functions, custom send functions, custom receivefunctions, variations of one or more of the same, combinations of one ormore of the same, or any other suitable custom function that facilitatestransferring data.

External application 228 generally represents any type or form ofsoftware application or system that inspects data being transferred toor from a computing device. External application 228 may be responsiblefor a variety of tasks, including but not limited to, performingsecurity inspections on data transferred to and/or from computing device202. Examples of external application 228 include, without limitation,operating systems (e.g., MICROSOFT WINDOWS), data-loss-preventionapplications, intrusion detection systems, intrusion prevention systems,firewall systems, antivirus applications (e.g., NORTON ANTIVIRUS),software security systems (e.g., NORTON INTERNET SECURITY), portions ofone or more of the same, variations of one or more of the same,combinations of one or more of the same, or any other suitableapplication that inspects data being transferred to or from a computingdevice. Although illustrated as part of computing device 202 in FIG. 2,external application 228 may alternatively include and/or represent anapplication running on a remote computing device (not illustrated inFIG. 2).

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of an exemplary computer-implemented method 300for performing application container introspection. The steps shown inFIG. 3 may be performed by any suitable computer-executable code and/orcomputing system. In some embodiments, the steps shown in FIG. 3 may beperformed by one or more of the components of system 100 in FIG. 1,system 200 in FIG. 2, computing system 610 in FIG. 6, and/or portions ofexemplary network architecture 700 in FIG. 7.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, at step 302, one or more of the systemsdescribed herein may identify a request issued by an applicationlaunched from an application container. For example, identificationmodule 104 may, as part of computing device 202 in FIG. 2, identifyrequest 208 issued by internal application 210 launched from applicationcontainer 212. In this example, request 208 may include data 226 thateither has been transferred from external data source 216 or is intendedfor transfer to external data source 216 via network 204.

Identification module 104 may identify request 208 in a variety of ways.In one example, identification module 104 may monitor applicationcontainer 212 for any requests issued by applications launched fromapplication container 212. In this example, while monitoring applicationcontainer 212 in this way, identification module 104 may identifyrequest 208 issued by internal application 210.

In some examples, identification module 104 may represent a portion ofapplication container 212 that parses request 208 to locate any sharedlibraries that include functions called by request 208. Upon parsingrequest 208 in this way, identification module 104 may identify request208 as originating from an application launched from applicationcontainer 212.

In other examples, identification module 104 may represent a dynamiclinking component of an operating system running on computing device202. In these examples, identification module 104 may load sharedlibraries called by an executable file while the executable file isrunning and/or as the executable file is prepared for execution. Uponloading the shared libraries in this way, identification module 104 mayidentify request 208 as originating from an application launched fromapplication container 212.

At step 304 in FIG. 3, one or more of the systems described herein maydetermine that the request calls a function that facilitatestransferring data between the application container and at least oneexternal data source. For example, determination module 106 may, as partof computing device 202 in FIG. 2, determine that request 208 calls afunction that facilitates transferring data 226 between applicationcontainer 212 and at least one external data source 216. Examples ofsuch a function include, without limitation, read functions, writefunctions, send functions, receive functions, variations of one or moreof the same, combinations of one or more of the same, or any othersuitable function that facilitates transferring data.

Determination module 106 may determine that request 208 calls thefunction in a variety of ways. In some examples, determination module106 may determine that request 208 calls the function by examining thename of the called function. For example, determination module 106 maymatch the name of the called function to a regular expression.Additionally or alternatively, determination module 106 may compare thename of the called function to a list of function names stored in adatabase that shows relationships between functions and tasks (such astransferring data) fulfilled by executing the functions.

In other examples, determination module 106 may identify the librarythat contains the called function. Determination module 106 may thendetermine that the library called by request 208 generally containsfunctions that facilitate data transfer between the applicationcontainer and outside computing environments. For example, determinationmodule 106 may identify a list of function libraries that includemetadata describing the tasks performed by the functions contained inthe function libraries.

At step 306, one or more of the systems described herein may direct therequest to a function library that includes a custom version of thefunction that facilitates both (A) transferring, between the applicationcontainer and the external data source, an encrypted version of the datathat is unintelligible to an external application running outside theapplication container and (B) providing an unencrypted version of thedata to the external application to enable the external application toinspect the data. For example, directing module 108 may, as part ofcomputing device 202 in FIG. 2, direct request 208 to function library218 that includes custom function 220 in response to the determinationthat request 208 calls the original function. Custom function 220 mayfacilitate (A) transferring, between application container 212 andexternal data source 216, an encrypted version of data 226 that isunintelligible to external application 228 running outside applicationcontainer 212 and (B) providing an unencrypted version of data 226 toexternal application 228 to enable external application 228 to inspectdata 226. In this example, external application 228 may be responsiblefor performing one or more security inspections on data transferred toand/or from application container 212.

Directing module 108 may direct request 208 to function library 218 in avariety of ways. In one example, directing module 108 may direct request208 to function library 218 and/or custom function 220 by redirectingand/or rerouting request 208 in response to the determination thatrequest 208 calls the original function. For example, directing module108 may determine that custom function 220 has superseded, replaced,and/or supplanted the original function. In response to thisdetermination, directing module 108 may redirect and/or reroute request208 to function library 218 and/or straight to custom function 220. Byredirecting and/or rerouting request 208 in this way, directing module108 may ensure that request 208 arrives at and/or calls custom function220 instead of the original function.

In another example, directing module 108 may direct request 208 tofunction library 218 and/or custom function 220 by reconfiguringfunction library 218 and/or replacing the original function with customfunction 220 prior to the launch of internal application 210. Forexample, prior to the launch of internal application 210, directingmodule 108 may reconfigure function library 218 such that customfunction 220 is located in the same location previously occupied by theoriginal function. Additionally or alternatively, directing module 108may replace the original function with custom function 220 such that allcalls to the original function ultimately arrive at and/or call customfunction 220. By reconfiguring function library 218 and/or replacing theoriginal function in this way, directing module 108 may ensure thatrequest 208 arrives at and/or calls custom function 220 instead of theoriginal function.

In some examples, function library 218 may reside within applicationcontainer 212. In these examples, directing request 208 to functionlibrary 218 may include directing request 208 to custom function 220included in function library 218 residing within application container212 (similar to the systems illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5).

In other examples, function library 218 may reside outside applicationcontainer 212 but within the host operating system (similar to thesystem illustrated in FIG. 2). In these examples, directing request 208to function library 218 may include identifying a link withinapplication container 212 that points to function library 218 andforwarding request 208 to function library 218 by way of the linkidentified within application container 212.

Directing module 108 may identify the link to function library 218 in avariety of ways. In some examples, directing module 108 may identify astatic link to function library 218 inserted when application container212 was compiled. In other examples, directing module 108 may identify adynamic link to function library 218. In these examples, a dynamiclinker (which may be a standalone script and/or a component of anoperating system) may load and/or link the libraries referenced byinternal application 210 when application 210 is executed and/orlaunched.

In some examples, custom function 220 may facilitate transferring anencrypted version of the data between the application container and theexternal data source. For example, custom function 220 may cause anencrypted version of data 226 (e.g., encrypted data 222 in FIG. 2) thatis unintelligible to external application 228 to be transferred betweenapplication container 212 and external data source 216. Accordingly,unencrypted data 224 may include and/or represent an unencrypted versionof encrypted data 222. Likewise, encrypted data 222 may include and/orrepresent an encrypted version of unencrypted data 224.

Custom function 220 may facilitate transferring encrypted data 222 fromapplication container 212 to external data source 216 in a variety ofways. In one embodiment, custom function 220 may facilitate transferringencrypted data 222 between application container 212 and external datasource 216 in a manner identical to an original version of the function.For example, custom function 220 may include a reference or link to theoriginal requested function. As a specific example, request 208 mayinclude a request to encrypt data 226 using the OPENSSL encryptionscheme. In this example, custom function 220 may call functions from ashared OPENSSL library that is stored or referenced elsewhere inapplication container 212.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, application container 212 may host internalapplication 210. Once launched, internal application 210 may issuerequest 208 to transmit data 226 to external data source 216. Directingmodule 108 may direct request 208 to custom function 220 stored infunction library 218. In this example, custom function 220 may provideunencrypted data 224 to external application 228 and then call anoriginal function 420 that provides encrypted data 222 to external datasource 216. Although contrary to the example illustrated in FIG. 4,custom function 220 may alternatively contain its own functionality thatprovides encrypted data 222 to external data source 216 without invokingoriginal function 420.

As an example, custom function 220 may include its own code orsubroutines that mirror the functionality of the original requestedfunction. As illustrated in FIG. 5, internal application 210 may receiveencrypted data 222 from external data source 216. Internal application210 may issue request 208 for a function 520 to read and/or decryptencrypted data 222. Determination module 106 may determine that function520 facilitates reading and/or decrypting data transferred of data fromexternal sources (such as external data source 216). Directing module108 may direct request 208 to function library 218 that includes customfunction 220. In this example, custom function 220 may include certaincode that facilitates reading and/or decrypting encrypted data 222without calling function 520. Although contrary to the exampleillustrated in FIG. 5, custom function 220 may alternatively callfunction 520 as part of reading and/or decrypting encrypted data 222.

Custom function 220 may provide unencrypted data 224 to externalapplication 228 in a variety of ways. In some examples, custom function220 may provide unencrypted data 224 to external application 228 by wayof a virtual network interface. In other examples, custom function 220may provide unencrypted data 224 to external application 228 by way ofshared memory.

In some embodiments, custom function 220 may provide unencrypted data224 to external application 228 before facilitating transmission ofencrypted data 222. For example, custom function 220 may first wait fora response from external application 228 before fulfilling request 208.

As a specific example, internal application 210 may issue request 208 totransmit data 226 from application container 212 to external data source216. In this example, external application 228 may include and/orrepresent an application that inspects data to ensure that transferringthe data complies with a data-loss-prevention policy. Directing module108 may direct request 208 to custom function 220, and custom function220 may deliver unencrypted data 224 to external application 228 beforedata 226 is encrypted to ensure that transferring data 226 to externaldata source 216 does not violate the data-loss-prevention policy. Uponensuring that transferring data 226 does not violate thedata-loss-prevention policy, custom function 220 may facilitateencrypting data 226 for secure transmission to external data source 216.In some cases, external application 228 may determine that transferringdata 226 does violate a data-loss-prevention policy. In these cases,external application 228 may prevent custom function 220 fromfacilitating the transmission of data 226 and/or computing device 202from transmitting data 226.

As an additional example, internal application 210 may receive encrypteddata 222 from external data source 216 and issue request 208 to decryptencrypted data 222. Directing module 108 may direct request 208 tocustom function 220 to generate unencrypted data 224 by decryptingencrypted data 222. Custom function 220 may deliver unencrypted data 224to external application 228 before application 210 handles a potentiallymalicious payload (e.g., a malware binary or shell code) withinunencrypted data 224. In this example, external application 228 mayinclude and/or represent a computer security system (such as anantivirus application, an intrusion detection system, and/or anintrusion prevention system) that imposes a security policy (such as anantimalware and/or antivirus policy) on application container 212 inorder to prevent users and/or applications from downloading and/orexecuting malicious content. In one example, external application 228may allow custom function 220 to provide unencrypted data 224 tointernal application 210 upon ensuring that unencrypted data 224 doesnot contain a potentially malicious payload. Additionally oralternatively, external application 228 may determine that unencrypteddata 224 contains a malicious payload (e.g., a malware binary or shellcode) and then prevent custom function 220 from delivering unencrypteddata 224 to internal application 210 and/or allowing internalapplication 210 to handle (e.g., execute) unencrypted data 224.

In some examples, the systems and methods described herein may createthe custom version of the function to address the inability of externalapplication 228 to inspect encrypted data 222. For example, creatingmodule 110 may, as part of computing device 202 in FIG. 2, create customfunction 220 to address the inability of external application 228 toinspect encrypted data 222. In one example, creating module 110 maycreate custom function 220 and then store custom function 220 withinfunction library 218 during compilation of application container 212. Inthis example, creating module 110 may “bake in” a reference to functionlibrary 218 as part of application container 212 such that certainfunction calls made within application container 212 (e.g., by internalapplication 210) are automatically directed to function library 218and/or custom function 220.

In another example, creating module 110 may store function library 218within the file system of application container 212 and/or as part of acommon mount point for application container 212. In this example,directing module 108 may dynamically link certain function calls made byapplications running inside application container 212 to custom function220 (e.g., through an LD_PRELOAD set).

As described above, systems and methods described herein may enable ahost operating system and/or another application running outside anapplication container to efficiently monitor data being transferredbetween the application container and an external data source even inthe event that such data transfers utilize end-to-end encryption. Indoing so, the systems and methods described herein may be able tofacilitate performing certain security analyses (such asdata-loss-prevention analyses and/or intrusion detection and preventionanalyses) on such data. As a result, the systems and methods describedherein may strengthen the security of computing devices that launchapplications from such an application container.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an exemplary computing system 610 capableof implementing one or more of the embodiments described and/orillustrated herein. For example, all or a portion of computing system610 may perform and/or be a means for performing, either alone or incombination with other elements, one or more of the steps describedherein (such as one or more of the steps illustrated in FIG. 3). All ora portion of computing system 610 may also perform and/or be a means forperforming any other steps, methods, or processes described and/orillustrated herein.

Computing system 610 broadly represents any single or multi-processorcomputing device or system capable of executing computer-readableinstructions. Examples of computing system 610 include, withoutlimitation, workstations, laptops, client-side terminals, servers,distributed computing systems, handheld devices, or any other computingsystem or device. In its most basic configuration, computing system 610may include at least one processor 614 and a system memory 616.

Processor 614 generally represents any type or form of physicalprocessing unit (e.g., a hardware-implemented central processing unit)capable of processing data or interpreting and executing instructions.In certain embodiments, processor 614 may receive instructions from asoftware application or module. These instructions may cause processor614 to perform the functions of one or more of the exemplary embodimentsdescribed and/or illustrated herein.

System memory 616 generally represents any type or form of volatile ornon-volatile storage device or medium capable of storing data and/orother computer-readable instructions. Examples of system memory 616include, without limitation, Random Access Memory (RAM), Read OnlyMemory (ROM), flash memory, or any other suitable memory device.Although not required, in certain embodiments computing system 610 mayinclude both a volatile memory unit (such as, for example, system memory616) and a non-volatile storage device (such as, for example, primarystorage device 632, as described in detail below). In one example, oneor more of modules 102 from FIG. 1 may be loaded into system memory 616.

In certain embodiments, exemplary computing system 610 may also includeone or more components or elements in addition to processor 614 andsystem memory 616. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6, computingsystem 610 may include a memory controller 618, an Input/Output (I/O)controller 620, and a communication interface 622, each of which may beinterconnected via a communication infrastructure 612. Communicationinfrastructure 612 generally represents any type or form ofinfrastructure capable of facilitating communication between one or morecomponents of a computing device. Examples of communicationinfrastructure 612 include, without limitation, a communication bus(such as an Industry Standard Architecture (ISA), Peripheral ComponentInterconnect (PCI), PCI Express (PCIe), or similar bus) and a network.

Memory controller 618 generally represents any type or form of devicecapable of handling memory or data or controlling communication betweenone or more components of computing system 610. For example, in certainembodiments memory controller 618 may control communication betweenprocessor 614, system memory 616, and I/O controller 620 viacommunication infrastructure 612.

I/O controller 620 generally represents any type or form of modulecapable of coordinating and/or controlling the input and outputfunctions of a computing device. For example, in certain embodiments I/Ocontroller 620 may control or facilitate transfer of data between one ormore elements of computing system 610, such as processor 614, systemmemory 616, communication interface 622, display adapter 626, inputinterface 630, and storage interface 634.

Communication interface 622 broadly represents any type or form ofcommunication device or adapter capable of facilitating communicationbetween exemplary computing system 610 and one or more additionaldevices. For example, in certain embodiments communication interface 622may facilitate communication between computing system 610 and a privateor public network including additional computing systems. Examples ofcommunication interface 622 include, without limitation, a wired networkinterface (such as a network interface card), a wireless networkinterface (such as a wireless network interface card), a modem, and anyother suitable interface. In at least one embodiment, communicationinterface 622 may provide a direct connection to a remote server via adirect link to a network, such as the Internet. Communication interface622 may also indirectly provide such a connection through, for example,a local area network (such as an Ethernet network), a personal areanetwork, a telephone or cable network, a cellular telephone connection,a satellite data connection, or any other suitable connection.

In certain embodiments, communication interface 622 may also represent ahost adapter configured to facilitate communication between computingsystem 610 and one or more additional network or storage devices via anexternal bus or communications channel. Examples of host adaptersinclude, without limitation, Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) hostadapters, Universal Serial Bus (USB) host adapters, Institute ofElectrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394 host adapters, AdvancedTechnology Attachment (ATA), Parallel ATA (PATA), Serial ATA (SATA), andExternal SATA (eSATA) host adapters, Fibre Channel interface adapters,Ethernet adapters, or the like. Communication interface 622 may alsoallow computing system 610 to engage in distributed or remote computing.For example, communication interface 622 may receive instructions from aremote device or send instructions to a remote device for execution.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, computing system 610 may also include at leastone display device 624 coupled to communication infrastructure 612 via adisplay adapter 626. Display device 624 generally represents any type orform of device capable of visually displaying information forwarded bydisplay adapter 626. Similarly, display adapter 626 generally representsany type or form of device configured to forward graphics, text, andother data from communication infrastructure 612 (or from a framebuffer, as known in the art) for display on display device 624.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, exemplary computing system 610 may alsoinclude at least one input device 628 coupled to communicationinfrastructure 612 via an input interface 630. Input device 628generally represents any type or form of input device capable ofproviding input, either computer or human generated, to exemplarycomputing system 610. Examples of input device 628 include, withoutlimitation, a keyboard, a pointing device, a speech recognition device,or any other input device.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, exemplary computing system 610 may alsoinclude a primary storage device 632 and a backup storage device 633coupled to communication infrastructure 612 via a storage interface 634.Storage devices 632 and 633 generally represent any type or form ofstorage device or medium capable of storing data and/or othercomputer-readable instructions. For example, storage devices 632 and 633may be a magnetic disk drive (e.g., a so-called hard drive), a solidstate drive, a floppy disk drive, a magnetic tape drive, an optical diskdrive, a flash drive, or the like. Storage interface 634 generallyrepresents any type or form of interface or device for transferring databetween storage devices 632 and 633 and other components of computingsystem 610.

In certain embodiments, storage devices 632 and 633 may be configured toread from and/or write to a removable storage unit configured to storecomputer software, data, or other computer-readable information.Examples of suitable removable storage units include, withoutlimitation, a floppy disk, a magnetic tape, an optical disk, a flashmemory device, or the like. Storage devices 632 and 633 may also includeother similar structures or devices for allowing computer software,data, or other computer-readable instructions to be loaded intocomputing system 610. For example, storage devices 632 and 633 may beconfigured to read and write software, data, or other computer-readableinformation. Storage devices 632 and 633 may also be a part of computingsystem 610 or may be a separate device accessed through other interfacesystems.

Many other devices or subsystems may be connected to computing system610. Conversely, all of the components and devices illustrated in FIG. 6need not be present to practice the embodiments described and/orillustrated herein. The devices and subsystems referenced above may alsobe interconnected in different ways from that shown in FIG. 6. Computingsystem 610 may also employ any number of software, firmware, and/orhardware configurations. For example, one or more of the exemplaryembodiments disclosed herein may be encoded as a computer program (alsoreferred to as computer software, software applications,computer-readable instructions, or computer control logic) on acomputer-readable medium. The term “computer-readable medium,” as usedherein, generally refers to any form of device, carrier, or mediumcapable of storing or carrying computer-readable instructions. Examplesof computer-readable media include, without limitation,transmission-type media, such as carrier waves, and non-transitory-typemedia, such as magnetic-storage media (e.g., hard disk drives, tapedrives, and floppy disks), optical-storage media (e.g., Compact Disks(CDs), Digital Video Disks (DVDs), and BLU-RAY disks),electronic-storage media (e.g., solid-state drives and flash media), andother distribution systems.

The computer-readable medium containing the computer program may beloaded into computing system 610. All or a portion of the computerprogram stored on the computer-readable medium may then be stored insystem memory 616 and/or various portions of storage devices 632 and633. When executed by processor 614, a computer program loaded intocomputing system 610 may cause processor 614 to perform and/or be ameans for performing the functions of one or more of the exemplaryembodiments described and/or illustrated herein. Additionally oralternatively, one or more of the exemplary embodiments described and/orillustrated herein may be implemented in firmware and/or hardware. Forexample, computing system 610 may be configured as an ApplicationSpecific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) adapted to implement one or more ofthe exemplary embodiments disclosed herein.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an exemplary network architecture 700 inwhich client systems 710, 720, and 730 and servers 740 and 745 may becoupled to a network 750. As detailed above, all or a portion of networkarchitecture 700 may perform and/or be a means for performing, eitheralone or in combination with other elements, one or more of the stepsdisclosed herein (such as one or more of the steps illustrated in FIG.3). All or a portion of network architecture 700 may also be used toperform and/or be a means for performing other steps and features setforth in the instant disclosure.

Client systems 710, 720, and 730 generally represent any type or form ofcomputing device or system, such as exemplary computing system 610 inFIG. 6. Similarly, servers 740 and 745 generally represent computingdevices or systems, such as application servers or database servers,configured to provide various database services and/or run certainsoftware applications. Network 750 generally represents anytelecommunication or computer network including, for example, anintranet, a WAN, a LAN, a PAN, or the Internet. In one example, clientsystems 710, 720, and/or 730 and/or servers 740 and/or 745 may includeall or a portion of system 100 from FIG. 1.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, one or more storage devices 760(1)-(N) may bedirectly attached to server 740. Similarly, one or more storage devices770(1)-(N) may be directly attached to server 745. Storage devices760(1)-(N) and storage devices 770(1)-(N) generally represent any typeor form of storage device or medium capable of storing data and/or othercomputer-readable instructions. In certain embodiments, storage devices760(1)-(N) and storage devices 770(1)-(N) may represent Network-AttachedStorage (NAS) devices configured to communicate with servers 740 and 745using various protocols, such as Network File System (NFS), ServerMessage Block (SMB), or Common Internet File System (CIFS).

Servers 740 and 745 may also be connected to a Storage Area Network(SAN) fabric 780. SAN fabric 780 generally represents any type or formof computer network or architecture capable of facilitatingcommunication between a plurality of storage devices. SAN fabric 780 mayfacilitate communication between servers 740 and 745 and a plurality ofstorage devices 790(1)-(N) and/or an intelligent storage array 795. SANfabric 780 may also facilitate, via network 750 and servers 740 and 745,communication between client systems 710, 720, and 730 and storagedevices 790(1)-(N) and/or intelligent storage array 795 in such a mannerthat devices 790(1)-(N) and array 795 appear as locally attached devicesto client systems 710, 720, and 730. As with storage devices 760(1)-(N)and storage devices 770(1)-(N), storage devices 790(1)-(N) andintelligent storage array 795 generally represent any type or form ofstorage device or medium capable of storing data and/or othercomputer-readable instructions.

In certain embodiments, and with reference to exemplary computing system610 of FIG. 6, a communication interface, such as communicationinterface 622 in FIG. 6, may be used to provide connectivity betweeneach client system 710, 720, and 730 and network 750. Client systems710, 720, and 730 may be able to access information on server 740 or 745using, for example, a web browser or other client software. Suchsoftware may allow client systems 710, 720, and 730 to access datahosted by server 740, server 745, storage devices 760(1)-(N), storagedevices 770(1)-(N), storage devices 790(1)-(N), or intelligent storagearray 795. Although FIG. 7 depicts the use of a network (such as theInternet) for exchanging data, the embodiments described and/orillustrated herein are not limited to the Internet or any particularnetwork-based environment.

In at least one embodiment, all or a portion of one or more of theexemplary embodiments disclosed herein may be encoded as a computerprogram and loaded onto and executed by server 740, server 745, storagedevices 760(1)-(N), storage devices 770(1)-(N), storage devices790(1)-(N), intelligent storage array 795, or any combination thereof.All or a portion of one or more of the exemplary embodiments disclosedherein may also be encoded as a computer program, stored in server 740,run by server 745, and distributed to client systems 710, 720, and 730over network 750.

As detailed above, computing system 610 and/or one or more components ofnetwork architecture 700 may perform and/or be a means for performing,either alone or in combination with other elements, one or more steps ofan exemplary method for performing application container introspection.

While the foregoing disclosure sets forth various embodiments usingspecific block diagrams, flowcharts, and examples, each block diagramcomponent, flowchart step, operation, and/or component described and/orillustrated herein may be implemented, individually and/or collectively,using a wide range of hardware, software, or firmware (or anycombination thereof) configurations. In addition, any disclosure ofcomponents contained within other components should be consideredexemplary in nature since many other architectures can be implemented toachieve the same functionality.

In some examples, all or a portion of exemplary system 100 in FIG. 1 mayrepresent portions of a cloud-computing or network-based environment.Cloud-computing environments may provide various services andapplications via the Internet. These cloud-based services (e.g.,software as a service, platform as a service, infrastructure as aservice, etc.) may be accessible through a web browser or other remoteinterface. Various functions described herein may be provided through aremote desktop environment or any other cloud-based computingenvironment.

In various embodiments, all or a portion of exemplary system 100 in FIG.1 may facilitate multi-tenancy within a cloud-based computingenvironment. In other words, the software modules described herein mayconfigure a computing system (e.g., a server) to facilitatemulti-tenancy for one or more of the functions described herein. Forexample, one or more of the software modules described herein mayprogram a server to enable two or more clients (e.g., customers) toshare an application that is running on the server. A server programmedin this manner may share an application, operating system, processingsystem, and/or storage system among multiple customers (i.e., tenants).One or more of the modules described herein may also partition dataand/or configuration information of a multi-tenant application for eachcustomer such that one customer cannot access data and/or configurationinformation of another customer.

According to various embodiments, all or a portion of exemplary system100 in FIG. 1 may be implemented within a virtual environment. Forexample, the modules and/or data described herein may reside and/orexecute within a virtual machine. As used herein, the term “virtualmachine” generally refers to any operating system environment that isabstracted from computing hardware by a virtual machine manager (e.g., ahypervisor). Additionally or alternatively, the modules and/or datadescribed herein may reside and/or execute within a virtualizationlayer. As used herein, the term “virtualization layer” generally refersto any data layer and/or application layer that overlays and/or isabstracted from an operating system environment. A virtualization layermay be managed by a software virtualization solution (e.g., a filesystem filter) that presents the virtualization layer as though it werepart of an underlying base operating system. For example, a softwarevirtualization solution may redirect calls that are initially directedto locations within a base file system and/or registry to locationswithin a virtualization layer.

In some examples, all or a portion of exemplary system 100 in FIG. 1 mayrepresent portions of a mobile computing environment. Mobile computingenvironments may be implemented by a wide range of mobile computingdevices, including mobile phones, tablet computers, e-book readers,personal digital assistants, wearable computing devices (e.g., computingdevices with a head-mounted display, smartwatches, etc.), and the like.In some examples, mobile computing environments may have one or moredistinct features, including, for example, reliance on battery power,presenting only one foreground application at any given time, remotemanagement features, touchscreen features, location and movement data(e.g., provided by Global Positioning Systems, gyroscopes,accelerometers, etc.), restricted platforms that restrict modificationsto system-level configurations and/or that limit the ability ofthird-party software to inspect the behavior of other applications,controls to restrict the installation of applications (e.g., to onlyoriginate from approved application stores), etc. Various functionsdescribed herein may be provided for a mobile computing environmentand/or may interact with a mobile computing environment.

In addition, all or a portion of exemplary system 100 in FIG. 1 mayrepresent portions of, interact with, consume data produced by, and/orproduce data consumed by one or more systems for information management.As used herein, the term “information management” may refer to theprotection, organization, and/or storage of data. Examples of systemsfor information management may include, without limitation, storagesystems, backup systems, archival systems, replication systems, highavailability systems, data search systems, virtualization systems, andthe like.

In some embodiments, all or a portion of exemplary system 100 in FIG. 1may represent portions of, produce data protected by, and/or communicatewith one or more systems for information security. As used herein, theterm “information security” may refer to the control of access toprotected data. Examples of systems for information security mayinclude, without limitation, systems providing managed securityservices, data-loss-prevention systems, identity authentication systems,access control systems, encryption systems, policy compliance systems,intrusion detection and prevention systems, electronic discoverysystems, and the like.

According to some examples, all or a portion of exemplary system 100 inFIG. 1 may represent portions of, communicate with, and/or receiveprotection from one or more systems for endpoint security. As usedherein, the term “endpoint security” may refer to the protection ofendpoint systems from unauthorized and/or illegitimate use, access,and/or control. Examples of systems for endpoint protection may include,without limitation, antimalware systems, user authentication systems,encryption systems, privacy systems, spam-filtering services, and thelike.

The process parameters and sequence of steps described and/orillustrated herein are given by way of example only and can be varied asdesired. For example, while the steps illustrated and/or describedherein may be shown or discussed in a particular order, these steps donot necessarily need to be performed in the order illustrated ordiscussed. The various exemplary methods described and/or illustratedherein may also omit one or more of the steps described or illustratedherein or include additional steps in addition to those disclosed.

While various embodiments have been described and/or illustrated hereinin the context of fully functional computing systems, one or more ofthese exemplary embodiments may be distributed as a program product in avariety of forms, regardless of the particular type of computer-readablemedia used to actually carry out the distribution. The embodimentsdisclosed herein may also be implemented using software modules thatperform certain tasks. These software modules may include script, batch,or other executable files that may be stored on a computer-readablestorage medium or in a computing system. In some embodiments, thesesoftware modules may configure a computing system to perform one or moreof the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein.

In addition, one or more of the modules described herein may transformdata, physical devices, and/or representations of physical devices fromone form to another. For example, one or more systems described hereinmay identify a request to execute a function that encrypts or decryptsdata, transform the request into a directive to execute a customfunction, use the custom function to encrypt or decrypt the data, outputa result of the custom function to the application that originallyissued the request, provide a copy of the data to an externalapplication, and/or use the copy of the data to facilitate the properfunctioning of a software security system. Additionally oralternatively, one or more of the modules recited herein may transform aprocessor, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, and/or any otherportion of a physical computing device from one form to another byexecuting on the computing device, storing data on the computing device,and/or otherwise interacting with the computing device.

The preceding description has been provided to enable others skilled inthe art to best utilize various aspects of the exemplary embodimentsdisclosed herein. This exemplary description is not intended to beexhaustive or to be limited to any precise form disclosed. Manymodifications and variations are possible without departing from thespirit and scope of the instant disclosure. The embodiments disclosedherein should be considered in all respects illustrative and notrestrictive. Reference should be made to the appended claims and theirequivalents in determining the scope of the instant disclosure.

Unless otherwise noted, the terms “connected to” and “coupled to” (andtheir derivatives), as used in the specification and claims, are to beconstrued as permitting both direct and indirect (i.e., via otherelements or components) connection. In addition, the terms “a” or “an,”as used in the specification and claims, are to be construed as meaning“at least one of.” Finally, for ease of use, the terms “including” and“having” (and their derivatives), as used in the specification andclaims, are interchangeable with and have the same meaning as the word“comprising.”

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method for performingapplication container introspection, at least a portion of the methodbeing performed by a computing device comprising at least one processor,the method comprising: identifying a request issued by an applicationlaunched from within an application container that isolates theapplication from a host operating system while simultaneously utilizingthe operating system kernel of the host operating system; determiningthat the request calls an original function that processes transferring,using end-to-end encryption, data between the application container andat least one external data source that is external to the applicationcontainer; and in response to determining that the request calls theoriginal function, directing the request to a function library thatincludes a custom version of the original function that processes,without allowing the request to resolve to the original function, both:using end-to-end encryption, transferring, between the applicationcontainer and the external data source, an encrypted version of the datathat is unintelligible to an external application running outside theapplication container; and providing an unencrypted version of the datato the external application to enable the external application toinspect the data.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the externalapplication comprises at least one of: a host operating system thatexecutes the application container; a data-loss-prevention application;and a computer security system.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein thecustom version of the function processes transferring the encryptedversion of the data between the application container and the externaldata source in a manner identical to an original version of thefunction.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the unencryptedversion of the data to the external application comprises enabling theexternal application to inspect the data before the custom version ofthe function processes transferring the encrypted version of the databetween the application container and the external data source.
 5. Themethod of claim 4, further comprising: receiving, from the externalapplication, a notification indicating that the data to be transferredpotentially violates at least one security policy; and refraining, inresponse to receiving the notification, from transferring the encryptedversion of the data.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein: the functionlibrary resides within the application container; and directing therequest to the function library comprises directing the request to thecustom version of the function included in the function library residingwithin the application container.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein: thefunction library resides outside the application container and within ahost operating system that hosts the application container; anddirecting the request to the function library comprises: identifying,within the application container, a link that points to the functionlibrary; and directing the request to the function library by way of thelink identified within the application container.
 8. The method of claim1, wherein providing the unencrypted version of the data to the externalapplication further comprises providing the data to the externalapplication by way of a virtual network interface.
 9. The method ofclaim 1, wherein providing the unencrypted version of the data to theexternal application further comprises providing the data to theexternal application by way of shared memory.
 10. The method of claim 1,wherein: providing the unencrypted version of the data to the externalapplication comprises delivering, before the data is encrypted, theunencrypted version of the data to the external application to ensurethat the data does not violate a data-loss-prevention policy; andtransferring the encrypted version of the data between the applicationcontainer and the external data source comprises, upon ensuring that thedata does not violate the data-loss-prevention policy: encrypting thedata for secure transmission from the application container to theexternal data source; and transmitting the encrypted data from theapplication container to the external data source in accordance with thedata-loss-prevention policy.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein:transferring the encrypted version of the data between the applicationcontainer and the external data source comprises receiving the encryptedversion of the data at the application container from the external datasource; and providing the unencrypted version of the data to theexternal application comprises: generating the unencrypted version ofthe data by decrypting the encrypted version of the data; anddelivering, before the application running inside the applicationcontainer handles a potentially malicious payload included within thedata, the unencrypted version of the data to the external application toensure that the data does not violate a security policy.
 12. The methodof claim 1, wherein the external data source comprises at least one of:a remote computing device; a virtual machine; and a storage device. 13.The method of claim 1, wherein the application container isolates theapplication from the host operating system by: preventing theapplication from interacting with applications outside the applicationcontainer; and preventing applications outside the application containerfrom interacting with the application.
 14. A system for performingapplication container introspection, the system comprising: at least onephysical processor; and a memory, the memory having stored thereoninstructions that, when executed by the at least one physical processor,cause the system to: identify a request issued by an applicationlaunched from within an application container that isolates theapplication from a host operating system while simultaneously utilizingthe operating system kernel of the host operating system; determine thatthe request calls an original function that processes transferring,using end-to-end encryption, data between the application container andat least one external data source that is external to the applicationcontainer; and in response to determining that the request calls theoriginal function, direct the request to a function library thatincludes a custom version of the original function that processes,without allowing the request to resolve to the original function, both:using-end-to-end encryption, transferring, between the applicationcontainer and the external data source, an encrypted version of the datathat is unintelligible to an external application running outside theapplication container; and providing an unencrypted version of the datato the external application to enable the external application toinspect the data.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the custom versionof the function processes transferring the encrypted version of the databetween the application container and the external data source in amanner identical to an original version of the function.
 16. The systemof claim 14, wherein the custom version of the function provides theunencrypted version of the data to the external application by enablingthe external application to inspect the data before the custom versionof the function processes transferring the encrypted version of the databetween the application container and the external data source.
 17. Thesystem of claim 16, further comprising: receiving, from the externalapplication, a notification indicating that the data to be transferredpotentially violates at least one security policy; and refraining, inresponse to receiving the notification, from transferring the encryptedversion of the data.
 18. The system of claim 14, wherein: the functionlibrary resides within the application container; and directing therequest to the function library comprises directing the request to thecustom version of the function included in the function library residingwithin the application container.
 19. The system of claim 14, wherein:the function library resides outside the application container andwithin a host operating system that hosts the application container; anddirecting the request to the function library comprises: identifying,within the application container, a link that points to the functionlibrary; and directing the request to the function library by way of thelink identified within the application container.
 20. A non-transitorycomputer-readable medium comprising one or more computer-readableinstructions that, when executed by at least one processor of acomputing device, cause the computing device to: identify a requestissued by an application launched from within an application containerthat isolates the application from a host operating system whilesimultaneously utilizing the operating system kernel of the hostoperating system; determine that the request calls an original functionthat processes transferring, using end-to-end encryption, data betweenthe application container and at least one external data source that isexternal to the application container; and in response to determiningthat the request calls the original function, direct the request to afunction library that includes a custom version of the function thatprocesses, without allowing the request to resolve to the originalfunction, both: using end-to-end encryption, transferring, between theapplication container and the external data source, an encrypted versionof the data that is unintelligible to an external application runningoutside the application container; and providing an unencrypted versionof the data to the external application to enable the externalapplication to inspect the data.